Otago Mentor Match programme

What is it?

Otago Mentor Match is a mentorship programme connecting soon-to-be graduates with Otago Alumni. It's an incredible opportunity to gain insider knowledge from industry professionals, expand networks and develop critical workplace-ready skills that will help students to be better prepared in transitioning after graduating.

Linked by common experiences, our Alumni present an amazing resource to our current students. Otago Mentor Match pairings help students find out what it takes to succeed in their future career and provides a platform for Alumni mentors to share their rich knowledge in areas such as:

• Professional advice
• Career development
• Goal setting
• Job strategy (how to stand out as a candidate)
• Motivation
• Networking
• Resume / cover letters
• Time management
• Work-life balance

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How it works

The programme runs over the course of the academic year, with participant intake occurring primarily at the start of semester one. Once Alumni mentors and student mentees register their interest, their profiles are matched through likened professional backgrounds and industries, career goals, programme of study, or areas of shared interest.

Once matched, mentor and mentee usually meet at least three times over the course of the programme.  Usually, most correspondence is through email or phone, with lengthier interactions over applications like Skype or Zoom. If mentors are in Dunedin, there may be an opportunity to meet face to face as well. 

There are no obligations to continue the mentor-mentee relationship beyond the end date of the programme unless agreed by both parties, although mentorship relationships have outlived the length of the programme in the past.

If a suitable match is not found, there will be opportunities to participate in future intakes. 

What you’ll talk about during your match meetings is up to you, but we’ve provided some helpful tips to help guide you through each discussion and make the most of your mentoring experience.

Mentoring Guidelines

Mentors and mentees are supported throughout the programme by the Career Development Centre and are encouraged to contact the Programme Co-ordinator with feedback at any time.

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Register your interest

Mentors

Through mentoring a future graduate you can make a difference in their development and enhance their skills.  You'll develop new skills as well.  Being a Mentor allows you to develop leadership, interpersonal and, of course, mentoring skills.

Mentoring is also a great way to give back to the Otago community. 

The Otago Mentor Match programme has always been a positive experience for me.  As mentors, we get more experience in coaching while also learning from our mentees and creating new connections. It was a highlight to see my mentee build out a career plan and accept a job offer in their ideal role.

Laura Roberts, Mentor

Being an Otago Mentor is an incredible experience. Not only does it help you stay connected with the university, it's also a great opportunity to connect with the talent of tomorrow. It helps you gain insight into the desires and motivations of the next generation coming into the workforce.  Plus, it feels good to give something back in a small but very meaningful way.

Nathan Wilson, Mentor

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Mentees

Otago Mentor Match is your chance to learn from someone who was once in your shoes and successfully made the transition from student to professional.  The advice and support you receive from your mentor can help you build the confidence, career development skills and job readiness needed to stand out in the employment market.

Mentees are undergraduate or postgraduate students in their final year of study at Otago.

The Otago Mentor Match programme was one of the best opportunities I utilised at university in my last year.  It meant that I had someone with the same interests and aspirations as me to bounce ideas off.  I think we both learnt a lot form each other.  I gained advice, perspectives I had not thought of, insight into the industry, and also a friendship. I would highly recommend this programme to anyone.

Scarlett Rogers, Mentee

This has been a hugely valuable experience.  I've gained so much first hand insight into working in my filed and had great opportunities to network with my mentor and their colleagues.  I've also learnt a lot about putting my best foot forward in applying for jobs and succeeding in the workforce after uni.  It was also nice to share postgrad experiences and learn more about how to navigate the challenges of this.

Libby Christophers, Mentee

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Contact

Alba Suarez Garcia
Programme Co-ordinator
Tel +64 3 479 8244
Email mentor@otago.ac.nz